#OURWOODLOT FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 3

Between cooking rhinoceros-shaped pancakes, and reading books at the breakfast table for her two sons, River, 2, and Miles, 4 months, it's rare that best-selling author and Rookie staff writer Emma Straub finds a spare moment to relax. But when she does she catches up with Nashville. "It’s gone full soap. I say that with full respect," she says. "I grew up watching soap operas. When I would go to summer camp, I would make my dad watch All My Children and write and tell me what happened." It's nice to know that even a highly lauded novelist can appreciate a little down-home drama now and then.

Sarah Britton at My New Roots updates a traditional summer dessert with some unexpected elements. She swaps orange flavouring for fresh peaches, and replaces the dairy base by whipping up a quick cashew-vanilla cream. The result is a sweet summer treat perfect for the young, and young at heart.

Sonia was born here in Canada, and her first language was Punjabi. Her mom would pull up to her school blaring Bhangra music with the windows rolled down. On school photo days, she insisted that Sonia wear traditional East Indian garb when all Sonia wanted was to dress like the other girls. In this interview with Ken Tsui, Sonia talks about how she came to admire tradition, in time and in her own way.

For us lazy ladies, dry shampoo is a beauty essential, but many popular, store-bought brands include unnecessary, worrisome ingredients like talc and propane. Why not make some yourself? Holistic nutritionist and regular Woodlot contributor, Kelsey Schriavon has an easy DIY recipe you can try at home on her excellent green beauty blog. Our favourite part is how she uses cocoa powder for colouring!